Setting the standard

The excellent Pensionado Program

Panama is, in many ways, a retirees dream come true: and this is due in no small part to Panama's unmatched retiree incentive program, the Pensionado Program. Qualifying for the program is pretty easy too; all that is required is that you:

Be in generally good health and free of HIV/AIDS
Have an up-to-date passport from your country of residence
Have a verifiable minimum monthly income of $500, and $100 per dependent
Have a clean police record for the past five years

Once you qualify, you get significant discounts on just about everything in Panama , from doctor's visits to transportation, restaurant tabs to utility bills. Among the benefits are:

50% off closing costs for home loans
50% off entertainment anywhere in the country (movies, concerts, sports, etc.)
50% off hotel accommodations from Monday to Thursday (30% off on Friday and Saturday)
30% off bus, boat, and train fares
25% off airline tickets
25% off restaurants (15% off fast food)
20% off visits to the doctor's office
20% off professional and technical services
15% off hospital bills (if no insurance applies)
15% off dental and eye exams
10% off prescription medications